SECTION 6-83-1 PURPOSE. The purpose of this Chapter is to institute land use regulations and restrictions to protect the City’s water supply and well fields, restrict the location of potential sources of contamination in close proximity to a public water supply, and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the City of Belle Plaine.

SECTION 6-83-2 DEFINITIONS.

1.) ”Aquifer” – a rock formation, group of rock formations or part of a rock formation that contains enough saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water.

3.) ”Contamination” – the presence of any harmful or deleterious substances in the water supply.

4.) ”Groundwater” – subsurface water in the saturated zone from which wells, springs, and groundwater runoff are supplied.

5.) ”Hazardous substances” – those materials specified in Section 6-56-3 of this ordinance.

6.) ”One-foot drawdown contour” – the locus point around a well or well field where the free water elevation is lowered by one (1) foot due to the pumping of the well or well field.

7.) ”Permitted pumping capacity” – the amount of water authorized to be pumped from a well during a one (1) year period.

8.) ”Person” – any natural person, individual, public or private corporation, firm, association, joint venture, partnership, municipality, governmental agency, political subdivision, public officer, or any other entity whatsoever or any combination of such, jointly or severally.

10.) ”Pollutant travel time” – the time required by pollutants to travel from one point to another.

11.) ”Pollution” – the presence of any substance (organic, inorganic, radiological, or biological) or condition (temperature, PH, turbidity) in water that tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness of the water.

12.) ”Potable water” – water that is satisfactory for drinking, culinary, and domestic purposed, meeting current drinking water standards.

13.) ”Primary containment” – the first level of product-tight containment, i.e., the inside portion of that container which comes into immediate contact on its inner surface with the hazardous material, herein contained.

15.) ”Secondary containment” – the level of product tight containment external to and separate from the primary containment. Secondary containment shall consist of leak-proof trays under containers, floor curbing or other containment systems and shall be of adequate size and design to handle all spills, leaks, overflows, and precipitation until appropriate action can be taken. The specific design and selection of material shall be sufficient to preclude any substance loss. Containment systems shall be sheltered so that the intrusion of precipitation is effectively prevented.

16.) ”Shallow well” – a well located and constructed in such a manner that there is not a continuous five foot layer of low permeability soil or rock between the aquifer from which the water supply is drawn and a point 25 feet below the normal around surface.

17.) ”Toxic substance” – any substance that has the capacity to produce personal injury or illness to humans through indigestion, inhalation, or absorption into the body.

18.) ”Transmissivity” – the rate at which water is transmitted through a unit width of any aquifer under a unit of hydraulic gradient.

19.) ”Travel time contour” – a locus of points from which water takes an equal amount of time to reach a given designation such as a well field.

20.) ”Travel time zones” – the area bounded by travel time contours.

21.) ”Water pollution” – the introduction in any surface or underground water of any organic or inorganic deleterious substance in such quantities, proportions, and accumulations that are injurious to human, plant, animal, fish and other aquatic life or property or that unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property or the conduct of business.

22.) ”Well” – a pit or hole sunk into the earth to reach a resource supply such as water.

23.) ”Well field” – a tract of land that contains a number of wells for supplying water.

24.) ”Zones of influence” – zones delineated by fixed radii around well fields, within which toxic substances will be regulated to protect the quality of the underground resource.

SECTION 6-83-3 SUBSTANCES REGULATED. The materials regulated by this ordinance shall consist of the following:

1.) Maps. Zone of influence maps and any amendments thereto are incorporated by reference and made a part of this ordinance. These maps shall be on file in the Water Department. At the time of adoption of this ordinance the location of all wells in Belle Plaine supplying potable water to the City Water System shall be located on the Official Belle Plaine Zoning Map with primary and secondary protection zones indicated. No land within the Primary Protection Zone that is currently not zoned commercial, or industrial will be allowed to be rezoned to a commercial or industrial classification. Said maps shall be provided to the Belle Plaine City Clerk, Belle Plaine Planning and Zoning Commission, Belle Plaine Director of Public Works, Belle Plaine Zoning Officer, Benton County Health Department, and any other agency requesting said maps.

2.) Map Maintenance. The zone of influence maps may be updated on an annual basis. The basis for such an update may include, but is not limited to, the following:

a.) Changes in the technical knowledge concerning the aquifer.

b.) Changes in permitted pumping capacity of city well fields.

c.) Addition of wells to existing well fields.

d.) Designation of new well fields.

3. Zones of Influence. The zones of influence indicated on the zone of influence maps are as follows:

a.) Primary Protection Zone. An area extending two hundred (200) feet radically from any well supplying potable water to the City of Belle Plaine Water System.

b.) Secondary Protection Zone. An area extending between two hundred (200) and one thousand (1000) feet radially from any well supplying potable water to the City of Belle Plaine Water System.

c.) Zone of Sensitivity. The land area situated within one-half (1/2) mile of each well owned and operated by the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa.

SECTION 6-83-5 RESTRICTIONS WITHIN THE PRIMARY PROTECTION ZONE.

1.) Permitted Uses. The following uses are permitted uses within the Primary Protection Zone. Uses not listed are to be considered prohibited uses.

a.) Parks – provided there is no on-site waste disposal or fuel storage tank facilities associated within this use, and the Iowa DNR “SEPARATION DISTANCES FROM WELLS” for sources of contamination is complied with.

2. Prohibited Uses. All other uses are prohibited within the Primary Protection Zone Additional restrictions are as follows:

a.) No person shall discharge or cause or permit the discharge of a hazardous substance (including herbicide and pesticide applications) to the soils, groundwater, or surface water within the Primary Protection Zone. Any person known or having evidence of a discharge shall report such information to the Director of Public Works.

b.) New sanitary landfills are prohibited within the Primary Protection Zone.

c.) The use, handling, production, and storage of hazardous substances are prohibited in the Primary Protection Zone except as provided under Chapter 57. All persons who presently engage in nonexempt activity within the protection zone who store, handle, use or produce any hazardous substances shall cease to do so within two (2) years from the effective date of this ordinance except as provided herein.

d.) Feedlots or other concentrated animal facilities are prohibited within the Primary Protection Zone.

2.) Prohibited Uses. All other uses are prohibited within the Secondary Protection Zone. Additional restrictions are as follows:

a.) No person shall discharge or cause or permit the discharge of a hazardous substance (including herbicide and pesticide applications) to the soils, groundwater, or surface water within the Secondary Protection Zone. Any person knowing or having evidence of a discharge shall report such information to the City.

b.) New sanitary landfills are prohibited within the Secondary Protection Zone.

c.) The use, handling, production, and storage of hazardous substances is prohibited in the Secondary Protection Zone, except where secondary containment is provided, or underground storage tanks in compliance with Chapter 135 of the Iowa Administrative Code, above ground storage tanks in compliance with requirements of the State Fire Marshal, or as provided under Section 6-57-7.

d.) Feedlots or other concentrated animal facilities are prohibited within the Secondary Protection Zone.

1.) The following activities or uses are exempt form the provisions of this ordinance:

a.) the transportation of any hazardous substance through the well field protection zones, provided the transporting vehicle is in transit.

b.) Silva culture uses and mosquito control spraying providing that said uses shall comply with the Iowa commercial and public pesticide applicators and dealers licensing through the Iowa Department of Agriculture. The use and storage of herbicides and pesticides for Silva culture uses are prohibited within the Primary Protection Zone but are allowed within the Secondary Protection Zones.

c.) The use of any hazardous substance solely as fuel in a vehicle fuel tank or as lubricant in a vehicle.

e.) Retail sales establishments that store and handle hazardous substances for resale in their original unopened containers.

f.) Consumers products limited to use at a facility solely for janitorial or minor maintenance purposes.

g.) Consumer products located in the home which are used for personal, family, or household purposes.

h.) The storage and use of hazardous substances as a fuel or lubricant to provide auxiliary power for emergency use to the well field, provided an enclosed secondary containment system is provided for the hazardous substance.

i.) The use of water treatment chemicals connected with the operation of the well.

2.) The use of structures or facilities existing at the time of the adoption of the ordinancecodified by this Chapter may be continued even though such use may not conform with the regulations of this Chapter. However, such structure or facility may not be enlarged, extended, reconstructed or substituted subsequent to adoption of said ordinance.

3. Any person who engages in nonresidential activities relating to the storage, handling, use/or production of any toxic or hazardous substances who it’s exempt from this ordinance by law shall not be subject to the restrictions contained herein.

4.) All written requests to permit variance or special exceptions in the Belle Plaine WellField Protection Zones will be to the Board of Adjustment and must include an environmental assessment report. Any exemptions granted will be made conditional and may include environmental and safety monitoring and/or a bond posted for future monitoring and cleanup costs. The exemption will be made void if environmental and/or safety monitoring indicate the facility is emitting any releases of harmful contaminates to the surrounding environment. The facility will be held financially responsible for all environmental cleanup costs.

SECTION 6-83-8 DETERMINATION OF LOCATIONS WITHIN ZONES.

1.) In determining the location of properties within the zones depicted on the Zone of Influence Maps, the following rules shall apply:

a.) Properties located wholly within one (1) zone reflected on the applicable Zone of Influence Map shall be governed by the restrictions applicable at the zone.

b.) For properties having parts living within more than one (1) zone as reflected on the applicable Zone of Influence Map each part shall be governed by the restriction applicable to the zone in which it is located.

SECTION 6-83-9 ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.

1.) The Director of Public Works is designated as the Well Field Protection Officer unless another person is specifically designated by the City Council to supervise the implementation and enforcement of this ordinance.

2.) No building permit shall be issued which is a violation of the Iowa DNR “SEPARATION DISTANCES FROM WELLS.” A violation of this Chapter or a source of contamination for a City well.

3.) No new underground tanks will be allowed for auxiliary fuel storage in the Primary or Secondary Zones.

4.) Any person, firm or corporation who fails to comply with the provisions of this Chapter shall upon conviction be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor; each day that such violation exists shall be deemed a separate offense.

SECTION 6-83-10 INSPECTIONS.

1.) The Director of Public Works shall have the power and authority to enter and inspect all buildings, structures and land within well field zones of influence for the purpose of making an inspection. Failure of a person having common authority over a property to permit an inspection shall be sufficient grounds and probable cause for a court of competent jurisdiction to issue a search warrant to the Director of Public Works.

2.) In the event a building or structure appears to be vacant or abandoned, and the owner cannot be readily contacted in order to obtain consent for an inspection, the Director of Public Works may enter into or upon any open or unsecured portion of the premises in order to conduct an inspection thereof.

3.) The Director of Public Works shall inspect each well field annually and shall maintain an inventory, if applicable, of all hazardous substances which exist within each well field zone. An emergency plan shall be prepared and filed with the County Emergency Management Agency indicating the procedures which will be followed in the event of spillage of a regulated substance so as to control and collect all such spilled materials.

4.) It shall be the duty of all law enforcement officers to assist in making inspections when such assistance is required by the officer or inspector.

SECTION 6-83-11 NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND HEARING.

1.) Whenever the Director of Public Works determines that there is a violation of this ordinance, he shall give notice thereof in the manner hereinafter provided.

a.) A notice of violation shall:

1. Be in writing.

2. Be dated and signed by the officer or inspector.

3. Specify the violation or violations.

4. State that said violation(s) shall be corrected within a specified period of time as issued in writing by the inspector.

SECTION 6-83-12 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.

1) If any person who engages in nonresidential activities stores, handles, uses, and/or produces toxic substances within the well field zones of influence, as indicated on the Zone of Influence Maps, continues to operate in violation of the provisions of this ordinance, then the City may file an action for injunctive relief in the court of jurisdiction.

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Home Builders

Water and Sewer For New Construction

A new home owner of new construction may make an application to the City Clerk for a free water tap and sewer tap to the City's water and sewer system. The new home owner shall receive free water and sewer for the first three months following hookup. The water usage shall be limited to 6,000 gallons per month. Any usage over the 6,000 gallons per month shall be billed at the normal rate set by the Belle Plaine City Council.
Resolution 06-2-2